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The problem I had with The LEGO Batman Movie was that, while it was funny, it was…for lack of a better word odd to experience this movie that feels like it’s in the same universe as The LEGO Movie (with it’s wonderful conceit of the kid mashing together the worlds), but to never have confirmation/acknowledgement that we are actually in that universe. That lack of confirmation makes me feel like we’re being asked to accept at face-value that non-DC characters were legitimately banished to the Phantom Zone. And that just makes me twitchy lol.

Like this:

Build a Habit-Robot in your Brain (from Scott Adams’ Blog) I find myself further and further fascinated with Scott’s musings, but this one was especially poignant given the number of “what’s going on inside their head” things that I’ve encountered this year (Disney Pixar’s Inside Out and Kristen Anderson-Lopez/Robert Lopez’ Up Here!). Where the Palm Meets the Pine (from A Geographer’s Scrapbook) This was a fascinating article to read that was randomly posted in an internal work email and something I’ll have to remember to keep an eye out for next time I’m driving north!

Really fun! First prequel that Pixar has done. Great music by Randy Newman. OH MY GOODNESS NATHAN FILLION!!!!! I knew Johnny Worthington sounded familiar, but I couldn’t really place it. Although the same thing happened with all of the voices (except for the big three who came back from the first movie), which is weird (for me anyways). Great tie-in to the existing universe (although one of my cousins pointed out that a line from the first movie presents a problem – spoiler below). In Monsters, Inc., when Mike and Sulley walked through Monstropolis to go to the company, Mike said to Sulley “You’ve been jealous of my good looks since the fourth grade”. In this film, we’re told Mike and Sulley met in college. [In the commentary, director Dan Scanlon explained that there was a lengthy scene that would have followed Mike and Sully throughout their years in elementary … Continue reading →

As good as the Avengers (2012) AND it made good on every promise that The Matrix movies (1999, 2003) made but failed to deliver on (don’t laugh, consider that this is coming from me, a hardcore fan of the Matrix movies). With the death of Zod and Kal-El’s very evident anguish over his actions, I was very much reminded of the Doctor Who episode where The Master dies without regenerating despite Tenant begging him to. That same anguish is in Cavill’s performance, with him knowing that “we’re the only two left, don’t make me do this”. In the same vein as the spoiler, looking back on the music (which was gorgeous), I find myself hearing the 4-beats-drums-of-war from The Master’s mind (Doctor Who). Very interesting commentary from one of my favorite comic book writers, Mark Waid.

Absolutely brilliant! Love how the performances are so raw and imperfectly perfect, and that they were allowed to make acting choices since they were all singing live to just a piano accompaniment. And how a lot of the final shots used in the film are like complete 2-3 minute takes. And you’re in their face, feeling the emotion pour out of them. Just…gah! Brilliant. Russel Crowe was just as imperfect as the rest of them, stop whinging about it! It’s been interesting to hear opinions/reflections from others though. Most interesting to consider that the film is more of a love letter to Les Miserables than amazing cinema. I mean definitely worth seeing once, but other than that, it’s kind of unadventurous as cinema. The cameras kind of just swallow the actors. Someone from The New Yorker offers up a sarcasm laden fest regarding why Les Mis isn’t any good. And … Continue reading →

I like Bofur, Balin, and maybe Dwalin. Possibly Ori’s face. ðŸ˜‰ Love, love, LOVE the Misty Mountains! Love that its the prequel trilogy theme. Also love the restrained callbacks to the original trilogy (only when it fits PERFECTLY). Add to this the fact that the songs are coming 99% directly from the text and I’m pleased as punch (that 1% is for making the song structures more palatable to human ears *wink*). Blunt the knives also makes me grin. Yay Lee Pace as Thranduril! Love seeing the Piemaker not interacting with stupid talking dogs. I also love how Peter Jackson is bringing in all these disparate pieces from Tolkien’s mythology (instead of Gandalf just going away and returning with a one sentence summary of what he did). It’s like he’s trying to construct the prequel trilogy that our generation deserves! Yay Andy Serkis as the second unit director! I mean … Continue reading →

Very nice. Very nice indeed. Yay Len Wiseman (aka Mr. Kate Beckinsale). And yay Kurt Wimmer (whom I recall from Equilibrium). It was interesting to me that Jessica Biel’s character name is voiced only once in the entire film. Really want to read “ÂWe Can Remember It For You Wholesale”Â now and look at where things were pulled from. Very nice touches / references / homages to the first film. Thankfully it was far less campy.

Fun! I mean we knew as soon as we saw the trailer that it looked like a super cute film (zombies and ghosts? TOTALLY cute), but it totally surpassed our expectations. I mean first off we’re both huge fans of stop-motion films as a rule of thumb (I blame Nightmare Before Christmas) and this is a true gem of the art form (make sure to stay to the very end of the credits for a real stop-motion treat). Secondly, the entire movie (at least in regards to Norman’s gift) isn’t about what you see in the trailer (as some films are wont to do) – the story has some delightful twists and turns that we were very pleased by. It was amusing to learn that Christopher Mintz-Plasse was the bully since he’s had so many roles where he was bullied. How the worm turns and such. I wonder why I … Continue reading →

*GRIN* Well now that I’ve had time to digest it all, I still had an amazing time, but the more I think about it, the more I’m confused as to what Christopher Nolan was trying to accomplish. I mean there were so many delightful touches of characters and the Stock Market scene was just eerie to watch (with the tragedy of Aurora fresh in my mind) and the many perfect moments they got right from the Knightfall saga of the early 90s (I was audible gaping at the first Bane/Batman brawl even though I knew it all was coming). But the plot twist. Just….guh. First he (Nolan) kills off Ras Al Ghul. Then he kills off Talia with no intention of bringing either of them back using Lazarus Pits. But then he goes and makes Bane a loyal companion/pawn (well not pawn, maybe knight or bishop) to Talia’s queen just … Continue reading →

Beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous and a heck of a good time. If your two year old can handle Finding Nemo, we think they could handle this movie. Angus (Merida’s horse) was GORGEOUS!!!!! I loved the story and am thrilled that a good Pixar movie can be made by more than the original founders. Beautiful Celtic music by Patrick Doyle (Harry Potter, and etc). Elinor’s character arc is very interesting. I find myself wondering about her backstory. When she had to marry Fergus to keep the peace between the clans I was also amused by our second viewing which occurred after rewatching the Nanny McPhee movies (both Merida/Kelly MacDonald and Elinor/Emma Thompson are in the first one and the second one’s just as cute and lovely) and then to hear Elinor mention collywobbles cracked me up. ðŸ™‚ Fergus cracks me up (loves me some Billy Connelly – ever since Muppet Treasure Island). … Continue reading →